Helper

One of the things that is very common in Singapore is the helper (Foreign Domestic Worker.)   It is very common for ex-patriates in Singapore to have a live-in helper. The helper is usually a young female that is perhaps from Philippines, Thailand, or Malaysia.  The helper can cook (you know, the kitchen that is really hot, and where maybe you can't use appliances at the same time.) clean, grocery shop (which BTW is kind of a big chore here.  Most people go every other day since things don't keep long.  For many, the stores can be a decent walk from home. Although some ex-pats have cars or drivers, not all do. The grocery stores that are similar to home are almost always in malls so it is crowded to park.  You get my drift, it's not terribly easy), laundry (in our complex the washer and dryer are separate but pretty small and you can't use them at the same time), and watch the kids. 

Our friends that just moved into their longer-term housing have a little bit fancier kitchen set-up but grocery shopping is not easy.  Some stores will deliver if you buy over a certain amount but many times, they won't deliver refrigerated items and things don't keep as long in the heat so you can't really buy huge quantities.

A helper salary can cost around $500 a month, plus you pay for their insurance and medical expenses, accidental insurance, a trip home for them once per year, and a bonus.  Plus there is a $5,000 security deposit.  The family has to register as an employer with Singapore and go through some training.

Helpers live with the family and have a small (very small) room in the apartment/house.  The room is usually off the kitchen so it is a little separate from the rest of the family.  It's a very small room, often with no window, but has a little cot and a very small, simple bathroom. 

So, I have been thinking that since, well, like many of you, I do all these things for my family and home, that I am going to ask M for a raise.  I mean, I do work hard, right?  Not to mention, that I am like a cruise director / tour guide this Summer.  I am practically Julie on the Love Boat.  I won't even ask him for the $5,000 deposit (because well, that would probably be ridiculous).  It's not like he would have to go to any training or anything.

Well, the one trip home per year doesn't really apply since I grew up and my parents still live in the same town.  Well, Tie Dye and Keylime are my kids so I guess I shouldn't get paid for taking care of them.  I cook but I am pretty sure NO ONE is going to pay me to do that (BTW, is rice supposed to be crunchy? . . .  I don't think so but that is how it has turned out the three times I have used my rice cooker.)  I wander around the grocery store thinking if I was Kathy and Brian B, I would be able to have a hey-day with all the food here.  Instead, I get bread, cereal, and granola bars.  Clean?  Well, I am a good cleaner so I got that going for me.  (Although, this housekeeping three days per week I am kind of getting used to.  I mean, I still do our laundry but no sheets or towels to do and no cleaning.  And the place always looks nice.)  Well, the more I type this, the more I think if M started thinking about this, I might owe him money instead of me getting paid, so I think we will keep this discussion just between us. Good thing is that what's mine is his and what's his is mine.  Hope he doesn't have time to read this blog posting  :-)

Tie Dye posted a cool update on her birthday so make sure to take a look at her page today!